<p>While the Mangaloreairport awaits to get International Airport-tag officially,<br />it goes one step closer to achieve this desired status by hosting the heaviest among the medium to long range twin-engine jet airliner 'Airbus 310'.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For the very first time, the airport will be handling an airplane that has an all up weight<br />of 1.44 lakh kilograms. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mangalore Airport Director M<br />R Vasudeva says that the maximum all up airplane weight handled by the airport so far<br />was 70,000 kgs. <br /><br />The Air India's Airbus 310, taking off to Medina on September 28 from Bajpe<br />Airport will be a new achievement.<br /><br />The flight will operate from September 28 to October 2, as a part of the Haj operations. In addition to the flight crew, this aircraft can accommodate up to 220 passengers on-board, he informed.<br /><br />"We are arranging for ground handling equipment from Chennai to suit the prerequisite<br />of this aircraft. The equipment will arrive soon. We will also upgrade the airport<br />emergency service to Category 8. Till now, two fire engines arebeing used to operate. <br /><br />With Category 8, we shall have three fire engines on active duty," says Vasudeva.<br />At present, the length of the Mangalore Airport runway is 2.45 kilometre. There is a need<br />to have an extension of 500 meters for the heavier airplanes to take off.<br /><br />"We are waiting for the authorities concerned to grant permission and take up the<br />work," he adds. <br /><br />The Mangalore to Medina flight will land at 10.20 am and<br />depart at 11.30 am. As many as 1030 passengers will leave from Mangalore for the Haj<br />trip, he added.<br /></p>
<p>While the Mangaloreairport awaits to get International Airport-tag officially,<br />it goes one step closer to achieve this desired status by hosting the heaviest among the medium to long range twin-engine jet airliner 'Airbus 310'.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For the very first time, the airport will be handling an airplane that has an all up weight<br />of 1.44 lakh kilograms. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mangalore Airport Director M<br />R Vasudeva says that the maximum all up airplane weight handled by the airport so far<br />was 70,000 kgs. <br /><br />The Air India's Airbus 310, taking off to Medina on September 28 from Bajpe<br />Airport will be a new achievement.<br /><br />The flight will operate from September 28 to October 2, as a part of the Haj operations. In addition to the flight crew, this aircraft can accommodate up to 220 passengers on-board, he informed.<br /><br />"We are arranging for ground handling equipment from Chennai to suit the prerequisite<br />of this aircraft. The equipment will arrive soon. We will also upgrade the airport<br />emergency service to Category 8. Till now, two fire engines arebeing used to operate. <br /><br />With Category 8, we shall have three fire engines on active duty," says Vasudeva.<br />At present, the length of the Mangalore Airport runway is 2.45 kilometre. There is a need<br />to have an extension of 500 meters for the heavier airplanes to take off.<br /><br />"We are waiting for the authorities concerned to grant permission and take up the<br />work," he adds. <br /><br />The Mangalore to Medina flight will land at 10.20 am and<br />depart at 11.30 am. As many as 1030 passengers will leave from Mangalore for the Haj<br />trip, he added.<br /></p>
